Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrea Reid, owner of A Dog’s Ruff, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business focuses on taking dogs on fun adventures within the city where they can explore trails, parks, rivers, creeks, and much more, all while getting not only the physical stimulation and exercise they need but also the mental and social experiences that dogs thrive on. All this is done on a leash so that we can also guarantee a safe and friendly environment for all types of dogs, not just those with perfect training.
Tell us about yourself
Myself and my business partners used to work for another dog walking company whose structure was based on bringing dogs to the dog park for an hour, and that was it. In doing that job, we noticed that dog parks are not for all types of dogs, and most, in fact, seem not to gain anything from their time there other than a bathroom break. There were dogs who were too shy, so they would just sit in one corner. Dogs that were labeled "aggressive" even though they just would be overstimulated by the dynamic of the park. So many examples of unhappy dogs. We knew there had to be a better option for all these dogs, so we thought adventure walks would be the perfect solution.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment is returning from the initial pandemic closure, which really almost ruined us, restructuring our walks to better suit our clients' new needs and ending up full up within a few months, and winning The Toronto Star's Readers Choice Award for Best Dogwalkers of 2021.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It never ends. I am always working in some way. Whether it be returning a text, an email, a social media response, buying supplies, editing photos, etc., it never ends, and that is wonderful because it means you are doing well, but also exhausting and stressful at times.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you have a solid model of what your business does. Be specific, so you get the right kind of clients. In the beginning, it's easy to be flexible because you don't want to say no to any work, but that can get out of hand very quickly.
- Make sure everyone in the business knows their role and what the priorities are as a business. Accountability is everything, especially in small businesses. Saying I don't know or passing blame is a waste of time and can be counterproductive.
- Don't let clients walk all over you. Customer service can be difficult, and people love the mentality behind "the customer is always right," but that is just not true. Have faith in your business and your product. You do not need to undersell yourself; only you can define your worth.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Always have backup plans. For everything. If things can go wrong, they probably will at some point, so just be ready.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://adogsruff.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adogsruff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adogsruff/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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